The American Red Cross is using new technology that
combines the accuracy of satellites with the power of smart phones to collect
damage assessment data for real time analysis.
A new system being used for the second time ever, Survey123, is being
deployed to speed up Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.
A damage assessment team deploys to the affected area and
enters the extent of damage for each residents address into their smart phone,
which captures their exact location using satellite technology, and uploads the
information to a national database before they move next door, to the next
residence. The information in the
national database is immediately available for management analysis.
Terry Kornahrens, a 42 year volunteer from N. Charleston,
SC, who is leading damage assessment in district 2, said “This will help us
determine where to focus our resources and speed up delivery of client
assistance”.
Survey123 was first used a couple of months ago in
Louisiana, in response to the floods.
Kornahrens said “We know that as this program is used by more damage
assessment staff that the benefits will be instantly experienced.”
Training took only 90 minutes for the team to understand
how to use the program. Following the
training the team went to the field and quickly started entering data. The process appeared easy and well received.
Photo Credit: Bob Wallace/American Red Cross
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